The 2022/23 cricket season is just around the corner and there has been a great deal of chat around the BBL; the one day game and again Test Cricket to say nothing of the proposed changes to the Gabba.
The big news away from the pitch has been the retirement of Ian Chappell, no longer will we hear those pointed sometimes acerbic, but often true comments Chappeli made famous. Of course, many of us have not recently given a great deal of thought to how cricket will sound this summer.
It will be very different – now. No Warnie no Andrew Symonds and now no Chappelli.
I wonder what Billy Birmingham of 12th man fame makes of it all?
On a far more serious cricketing note is the announcement early this week from CA that former Australian captain Tim Paine is set to return to the domestic competition after standing himself down and taking time away from the game following a sexting scandal made public.
I have no doubt that there will be members of the cricketing public who would like to see him never return. I am not among that number.
To add even more spice to the bar room and dinner table debates, the chair of CA has thrown open the door to David Warner and perhaps there will be a softening of the stance on Warner’s life-long ban from taking any leadership role in the national team.
I am sure that anyone who has played the game would agree that it is highly unlikely that only three players that day knew what was afoot and that not one bowler had a clue.
I have never accepted that theory and neither do I believe in the tooth fairy, Santa Claus (well maybe) and the Easter Bunny.
In what is an overdue move, CA also look likely to proceed with the appointment of an ethics commissioner.
It was recommended in 2018 – takes a while for these boffins to move sometimes.
Maybe we are looking at a season of change in cricketing circles not just on the airwaves.
On a different tangent I like many others in Stanthorpe was saddened to hear of the recent death of Frank Torrisi.
Long ago when I think the earth was still flat, Frank and I worked closely together on all matters CF White Oval.
Frank wearing his Soccer hat (as it was then) while I had my cricket cap on as President of the Stanthorpe Cricket Association. Together we oversaw some developments which were at the time quite innovative. The first lights at the oval, the laying of the turf wicket and the oval fence. I will always be grateful for the good working relationship between the two organisations.
Frank left his mark on Soccer / Football and will be missed by many in the Stanthorpe sporting fraternity and of course his family. Another good one lost along the way.
Casey
Casey’s Round 24 Tips
Broncos; Panthers; Storm; Raiders; Sharks; Rabbitohs; Dragons and Titans
